The area also has a number of restaurants and hotels, especially in Defence Colony, Lajpat Nagar and Malviya Nagar areas. So, the move will bring a relief to women shoppers who earlier had to face difficulties in accessing clean public conveniences.

The SDMC had earlier said the facility was to be made available from April 1 on a nominal payment basis.

The SDMC also said the civic body is planning to increase the number of public sanitation facilities, especially in markets.

“The owners have agreed for allow free usage of washrooms at hotels and restaurants for women and children. The owners, however, will have a limited discretion on security concerns,” the official said.

The corporation said this will go a long way in improving the ranking of the SDMC in the Swachh Bharat Mission survey.

“During the review, we will also explore the possibilities for further increasing the scope of this initiative,” he said.

The official said the SDMC is also mulling making mandatory this facility for issue of health trade licences.